Troon lose out to champions

Last gasp agony for Troon at Beith

INDIFFERENT recent form from both sides suggested the outcome of this fixture would be close and that was exactly how it transpired, with the hosts claiming the points in the final minute of a hard-fought contest.

The first half saw Troon playing down the slope and was honours even with little fluent football on display from either side with only half chances created. Beith had the ball in the net from one decent move but the assistants flag was quickly raised as veteran striker Kenny McLean headed home a Jamie Wilson cross.

Troon threats came via Dean Fulton, Christian Nade and Ryan Stevenson but Beith keeper Stephen Grindlay dealt comfortably with their efforts. At the other end Johnston produced a fine save to grab a Collins flick at the last minute while Sheridan and McLean missed the target from other notable openings.

From the outset Beith were more of a threat after the break but Scott Johnstone again did well to beat away a powerful Christie shot. As time wore on without a goal it increasingly looked one goal would be enough to win the contest and a scramble in the Beith box saw a chance fall to Scott Chatham but he blasted over.

Dean Keenan was playing in midfield for Troon and he was never far from any incidents and it was no real surprise when he collected a second yellow card in the 73rd minute.

Beith upped the pressure with the numerical advantage but the Troon defence led well by Clark and Strachan held firm. The visitors task was further increased with 5 minutes still to play when Christian Nade also stupidly collected a second yellow for kicking the ball away.

The hosts now had all the possession but it looked like the visitors were going to hold on for a point until they got stuck in their own box from several corners in the closing seconds allowing Beith captain John Sheridan to turn and get in a shot that found the net via a deflection which wrong footed the keeper.

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